Amy Roberts: 39 years, 39 lessons

The difference between life and school is that in school, you’re taught lessons and then you’re given a test. In life, you get tested and then you learn the lesson.

Assuming I’m not hit by a bus in the next few days, I’ll turn 39 shortly after you read this. As such, I have spent a lot of time recently reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned from life’s tests. While I’ve often learned the hard way, I’ve still learned. And isn’t that the whole point?

As I enter the phase of my life I like to describe as "the old age of youth," I thought I’d share some things I know now that I wish I knew 20 years ago.

1. Who you are at your worst moment is not who you are.

2. When your parents told you, "Nothing good ever happens after midnight," they were right.

3. Travel alone.

Recommended Stories For You

4.Before you decide you’re depressed or have low self-esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, just surrounded by a bunch of a**holes.

5. Strong is the new skinny.

6. Some people need a high five. In the face. With a chair.

7. If you think there’s something more, there is.

8. Your parents did the best they could.

9. Know who you are and own it.

10. Know who you want to be and work for it.

11. Don’t sacrifice your integrity for the sake of peace and quiet.

12. Give sincere compliments and accept them graciously.

13. Be kind to people and animals.

14. It’s better to regret than to wonder.

15. Know the difference between a Phillips and a flathead.

16. No man is worth your tears. Unless he’s dead, then you can cry over him.

17. Drink responsibly. Hangovers get worse as you get older.

18. Getting up at 5 a.m. to work out is never going to be fun.

19. Live within your means and save for retirement.

20. Confidence is sexier than any black dress you’ll ever own.

21. Apologize when you’re wrong.

22. Cherish your friends.

23. If you didn’t get what you wanted, consider that maybe you weren’t meant to have it.

24. Algebra teachers are the biggest liars in the world. You will never actually use that stuff in real life. Ever.

25. If you want to play games, join a flag football league. Don’t play them with people’s emotions.

26. There are seven billion people in the world. You don’t have to please them all and they’re not all going to like you.

27. Find a cause you would be a martyr for.

28. How people treat you is their karma. How you react to it is yours.

29. Forgive the people who hurt you, but never forget what they taught you.

30. The book is always better than the movie.

31. No job is beneath you.

32. Do the right thing, even if it costs more, takes longer or isn’t as easy.

33. There is no shame in asking for help.

34. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for wanting more.

35. Say "yes" to things outside your comfort zone.

36. The safest thing you’ll ever do is something you love.

37. Unless they were once worn by the Queen of England, shoes do not appreciate in value.

38. Getting old sucks, but it sure beats the alternative.

39. It’s all going to work out exactly the way it’s supposed to.

Amy Roberts is a longtime Park City resident, freelance writer and the proud owner of two ill-behaved rescue dogs, Boston and Stanley.